Upon the invitation of Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel participated in the official reception honoring the 26th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN in New York City.

Following their arrival, Ambassador Yelchenko and his wife welcomed the hierarchs of the Church to the Mission. In a short exchange of greetings, Metropolitan Antony and Ambassador Yelchenko spoke of closer cooperation between the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

Speaking with various leaders of Ukrainian community and Diplomatic representatives of various countries that joined the reception, Archbishop Daniel reflected upon the present ecclesiastical status of religious Orthodox communities in Ukraine.

The hierarchs of the Church were joined at the celebration by Very Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Muzychka , pastor of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in New York, NY and Very Rev. Fr. Todor Mazur, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in New York City.